What Is Parallelism

What Is Parallelism?

Parallelism, also known as parallel structure, is a writing technique where you use the same grammatical form for two or more ideas or items in a sentence that have the same function. Think of it like a set of perfectly matched building blocks. When you use parallelism, you create balance and rhythm, making your writing much easier to read and understand. It's about creating a consistent pattern.

For example, instead of saying: "She likes reading, writing, and to paint."

You would use parallelism to say: "She likes reading, writing, and painting."

See how "reading," "writing," and "painting" are all in the same -ing form? That's parallelism at work. It makes the sentence flow much more smoothly.

Why Does Parallelism Matter?

Using parallel structure isn't just about making your sentences sound pretty. It has real practical benefits:

• Clarity: When ideas are presented in a consistent grammatical form, the reader can more easily grasp their relationship to each other. This avoids confusion and makes your meaning crystal clear.
• Emphasis: Parallelism draws attention to the items being listed or compared. This can help you highlight key points or create a memorable rhythm.
• Memorability: Sentences with strong parallel structure are often more impactful and easier to remember. Think of famous speeches or slogans – many rely heavily on parallelism.
• Professionalism: Correct use of parallelism signals strong writing skills and attention to detail, making your work appear more polished and credible.

Common Places to Find and Use Parallelism

Parallelism is most frequently seen in lists, comparisons, and clauses that modify or explain each other.

Lists

When you have a series of items, make sure they all share the same grammatical structure. This applies to nouns, verbs, phrases, or even clauses.

Incorrect:

• He enjoys hiking, to swim, and biking.
• The store sells apples, bananas, and also oranges.
• She is intelligent, kind, and with a good sense of humor.

Correct:

• He enjoys hiking, swimming, and biking. (All -ing verbs functioning as gerunds)
• The store sells apples, bananas, and oranges. (All singular nouns)
• She is intelligent, kind, and humorous. (All adjectives)

Comparisons

When you compare two things using words like "than" or "as," ensure the elements being compared are in parallel form.

Incorrect:

• This book is more interesting than the movie was.
• He runs as fast as his brother does.

Correct:

• This book is more interesting than the movie. (Comparing two nouns)
• He runs as fast as his brother. (Comparing two nouns)

Clauses

When you have multiple clauses that function similarly within a sentence, they should be structured in parallel.

Incorrect:

• The meeting was long, and it was boring.
• She decided to go to the store, buy groceries, and she would then go home.

Correct:

• The meeting was long and boring. (Two adjectives modifying "meeting")
• She decided to go to the store, buy groceries, and go home. (Three infinitive phrases)

How to Spot and Fix Parallelism Errors

Sometimes, parallelism can be tricky. Here's how to identify and correct issues:

1. Identify the Core Idea: What are the key elements or ideas you're trying to connect in the sentence?
2. Check the Grammatical Form: Look at the structure of each element. Are they all nouns? All verbs in the same tense? All phrases starting with a preposition?
3. Make Them Match: Adjust the wording of one or more elements so they all conform to the same grammatical pattern.

Example:

Let's say you're writing about the benefits of exercise:

Draft Sentence: "Regular exercise improves your mood, it helps you sleep better, and weight management."

• Core Idea: Benefits of exercise.
• Elements: "improves your mood" (verb phrase), "helps you sleep better" (verb phrase), "weight management" (noun phrase).
• Problem: The third element is a noun phrase, while the first two are verb phrases.
• Fix: You could make all elements verb phrases: "Regular exercise improves your mood, helps you sleep better, and aids in weight management." Or, you could make them all noun phrases (though this might sound a bit clunky): "Regular exercise offers mood improvement, better sleep, and weight management." The verb phrase option generally sounds more natural and active.

Another Example:

Writing about writing advice:

Draft Sentence: "To write well, you must plan your essay, outline your arguments, and then you need to draft it carefully."

• Core Idea: Steps for writing.
• Elements: "plan your essay" (infinitive phrase), "outline your arguments" (infinitive phrase), "you need to draft it carefully" (independent clause).
• Problem: The third element is a full clause with its own subject ("you"), disrupting the parallel structure of the infinitive phrases.
• Fix: "To write well, you must plan your essay, outline your arguments, and draft it carefully." Now all elements are infinitive phrases following "you must."

Parallelism in Action: Famous Examples

You've likely encountered parallelism many times without even realizing it.

• "Veni, vidi, vici." (I came, I saw, I conquered.) - Julius Caesar. Three short, parallel past-tense verbs.
• "Give me liberty, or give me death!" - Patrick Henry. Two parallel imperative clauses.
• "...government of the people, by the people, for the people..." - Abraham Lincoln. Three parallel prepositional phrases.

These examples show how powerful and memorable parallel structure can be.

When to Be Mindful of Parallelism

• Essays and Academic Papers: Essential for clarity and demonstrating strong writing.
• Speeches and Presentations: Helps make your points memorable and impactful.
• Marketing Copy and Slogans: Creates rhythm and catchiness.
• Anywhere you list or compare items: Always check for parallel structure.

If you find yourself struggling to maintain consistency in your sentences or want to ensure your writing is as clear and impactful as possible, services like EssayGazebo.com can offer professional editing and AI humanization to help refine your work, making sure those parallel structures are spot on.

Mastering parallelism takes practice, but the payoff is significant. By making your sentences balanced and consistent, you make your ideas more accessible and persuasive.